Bay City Teen Charged with Sexual Assault of Young Girl in 2012

On Tuesday June 10, 19-year-old Chavis E. Taylor-Triplett of Bay City was arraigned on criminal sexual conduct charges after allegedly assaulting a younger girl in 2012, according to news reports at Mlive.com. The sexual assault began in July of 2012 and involved a girl who was 14 years old at the time. Taylor-Triplett has been charged with one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person between 13 and 15, and one count of second-degree CSC causing injury.

The alleged victim, whose name was not released, claims that she was raped by Taylor-Triplett at a friend’s Bay City home in July of 2012. The girl was spending the night with a friend, whose boyfriend was at the home. Taylor-Triplett was a friend of the boyfriend, according to reports. The girl reported that she was raped to staff at the Nathan Weidner Children’s Advocacy Center.

The girl claims that she was held down on a couch by the defendant, who took off some of her clothing and penetrated her with his fingers as she fought to get away. Court records indicate that bruises to the breast and neck areas were discovered during a physical exam.

Upon interrogation, Taylor-Triplett told the detective that he and the girl had been kissing, but that was all they had done. He is scheduled for a preliminary exam on Tuesday, June 24.

Accusations of sexual misconduct should be taken very seriously. In Michigan, individuals found guilty of most sex crimes will not only face potential jail/prison time, but the requirement to register as a sex offender as well. Both the of offenses Taylor-Triplett is alleged to have committed are 15-year felonies, which means he could be incarcerated until he is in his mid-thirties.

In many cases, it is advantageous for a defendant to plead guilty or no contest to a lesser charge, particularly when the evidence against the defendant is overwhelming. A skilled Michigan sex crime defense attorney can help those accused determine the best legal approach to achieve good results. In some cases, depending on the details of a case, it may be possible to have charges dismissed or reduced. Do not go to court without the legal support and guidance of a talented lawyer.